Cleaning unit for cleaning filter part of drain pipe, etc.

Abstract

To provide a technique that can easily clean a filter part provided in a drain pipe or an intake pipe.SOLUTION: A cleaning unit 100 according to an embodiment comprises: an annular or cylindrical base part 102 arranged so as to surround a filter part of a drain pipe; a brush 104 provided in the base part 102, and directed to a surface of the filter part 9; and a blade 106 provided on an outer peripheral surface of the base part 102, and extending outward in a radial direction of the base part 102. The blade 106 receives a water flow in a water passage in which the drain pipe is arranged, and thereby the brush 104 rotates around an axis integrally with the base part 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for cleaning a filter section of a drain pipe or a water intake pipe.

Background Art

[0002] With the global increase in demand for fishery resources, the development of aquaculture technologies for realizing a stable supply of aquatic organisms has been promoted. In recent years, with the problems of global warming and ocean pollution, land-based aquaculture, which is less affected by these factors, has attracted attention. Land-based aquaculture has advantages such as fewer location restrictions like sea-based aquaculture, less affected by weather and natural disasters by using indoor facilities, and the ability to reduce the load on the environment caused by aquaculture.

[0003] In a land-based aquaculture system, a circulation path is provided to circulate and purify the water in the aquarium (also called "breeding water") for keeping the water clean for breeding aquatic organisms. The aquarium is provided with a drainage structure for capturing foreign substances before discharging them (see Patent Document 1). In the drainage structure of Patent Document 1, a drain pipe is provided at the bottom of the aquarium, and a cylindrical filter is provided at the opening of the drain pipe. The filter has a mesh structure to prevent aquatic organisms from flowing into the drain pipe, that is, to prevent aquatic organisms from escaping from the aquarium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in such a drainage structure, since the filter has a mesh structure, it is likely to be clogged by foreign matters. If the drainage is hindered due to the clogging of the filter, it may change the circulation flow rate of the water tank. Thereby, it may affect the filtration performance of the system and cause deterioration of water quality.

[0006] In addition, in the case of a system that takes water from a water source such as the sea or a river and supplies it to the water tank, a water intake pipe is provided in the water source, and the same problem may occur with the water intake pipe. That is, in order to prevent aquatic organisms and foreign matters in the water source from entering the water tank, a similar filter may be provided at the opening of the water intake pipe. Also in that case, it is necessary to suppress the clogging of the filter.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide a technique for easily cleaning a filter portion provided in a drain pipe or a water intake pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a cleaning unit for cleaning a filter portion provided in a water pipe that functions as a drain pipe or a water intake pipe. This cleaning unit includes an annular or cylindrical base portion arranged to surround the filter portion, a brush provided on the base portion and directed toward the surface of the filter portion, and blades provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion and extending radially outward from the base portion. By the blades receiving the water flow in the water channel where the water pipe is arranged, the brush rotates integrally with the base portion around the axis.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for easily cleaning a filter portion provided in a drain pipe or a water intake pipe.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments and their modifications, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an aquaculture system according to the first embodiment. The aquaculture system 1 realizes closed-loop land-based aquaculture and includes an aquarium 4 for raising aquatic organisms 2, a circulation path 6 for circulating the water (culturing water) in the aquarium 4, and a biological filter tank 8 provided in the circulation path 6. A pump 12 is provided in the circulation path 6. By driving the pump 12, the culturing water circulates through the circulation path 6. The pump 12 functions as a "circulation device" for adjusting the water circulation volume. These aquaculture facilities are arranged in an indoor facility.

[0013] Land-based aquaculture methods are generally classified into the flow-through type and the closed-loop type. The flow-through type is a method of pumping water from the sea or a river and supplying it to the aquarium, and draining the dirty water from the aquarium, that is, keeping the culturing water clean by changing the water. In contrast, the closed-loop type has a circulation path for reusing the culturing water stored in the aquarium, and keeps it clean by passing the culturing water through a filter tank provided in the circulation path. There is also a semi-circulation type that circulates the culturing water while changing a part of it as a compromise between the flow-through type and the closed-loop type. In this embodiment, by adopting the closed-loop type among land-based aquacultures, the introduction of pathogens from the outside is eliminated, and seasonal factors that affect the water temperature and the like are reduced. A temperature suitable for the growth of the aquatic organisms 2 is set as the temperature of the culturing water.

[0014] The aquatic organisms 2 are seawater fish in this embodiment, but may be freshwater fish. They may also be shellfish, crustaceans, or other fishery products. The components of the culturing water are adjusted according to whether the aquatic organisms 2 are seawater organisms or freshwater organisms.

[0015] A physical filter 7 is provided on the downstream side of the water tank 4 in the circulation path 6, and a biological filtration tank 8 is provided on its downstream side. A filter section 9 is also provided in the drain pipe 5 installed in the water tank 4. The drain pipe 5 functions as a cylindrical "water pipe". The filter section 9 is composed of filter members such as a mesh filter and a strainer, and while preventing the escape of the aquatic organisms 2 from the water tank 4, it has a porous structure capable of capturing foreign substances contained in the breeding water. The physical filter 7 captures relatively small foreign substances that could not be removed by the filter section 9. That is, the filter section 9 functions as a primary filter, and the physical filter 7 functions as a secondary filter. In the present embodiment, a cleaning unit 100 for removing foreign substances attached to the surface of the filter section 9 is provided to prevent clogging of the filter section 9, but the details thereof will be described later.

[0016] Toxic ammonia is generated in the water tank 4 due to the metabolic activities of the aquatic organisms 2 and the decomposition of organic substances such as uneaten feed. Therefore, the breeding water is circulated and passed through the biological filtration tank 8 for biological filtration, and the ammonia is decomposed and changed into less toxic nitric acid. The biological filtration tank 8 holds nitrifying bacteria (microorganisms) that oxidize ammonia in oxygen-containing water to change it into nitrous acid and then nitric acid.

[0017] A foam separation device 14 and a denitrification tank 16 are connected to the biological filtration tank 8. The water discharged from the water tank 4 and led to the biological filtration tank 8 is led to the foam separation device 14 by driving the pump 18. The foam separation device 14 adsorbs the organic substances contained in the water onto the foam, separates the organic substances by floating them, and then returns them to the biological filtration tank 8.

[0018] The water nitrified in the biological filtration tank 8 is led to the denitrification tank 16 by driving the pump 20 and then returned to the biological filtration tank 8 again. The denitrification tank 16 holds denitrifying bacteria and reduces the nitric acid contained in the filtered water to nitrogen gas and releases it into the atmosphere. The water in the biological filtration tank 8 is thus detoxified and then assembled by the pump 12 and supplied to the water tank 4.

[0019] The aquaculture system 1 is further provided with an oxygen supply device 22 and a feeding device 24. The oxygen supply device 22 supplies oxygen into the water in the water tank 4. The oxygen supply device 22 functions as a "dissolved oxygen concentration adjustment device" that adjusts the amount of oxygen supplied to the water tank 4. The feeding device 24 supplies feed into the water tank 4. The feeding device 24 functions as a "feeding adjustment device" that adjusts the amount of feed supplied to the aquatic organisms in the water tank.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of the water tank 4 and its surroundings. The water tank 4 is a circular water tank having a circular shape in plan view, and a drain pipe 5 is erected at the central part thereof. A water supply pipe 34 is provided so as to penetrate the side wall 4a of the water tank 4. The water supply pipe 34 is connected to the downstream pipe of the biological filtration tank 8 to constitute a circulation path 6, and functions as a "water supply part" that supplies breeding water to the water tank 4. The opening end (i.e., the water supply port) of the water supply pipe 34 is directed in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the water tank 4. Therefore, when the breeding water is discharged from the water supply pipe 34, a unidirectional water flow centered on the drain pipe 5 is generated (see the arrow in the figure). That is, the water supply pipe 34 functions as a "water flow generation part" that generates a flow of breeding water in the water tank 4.

[0021] In this way, an annular water flow, that is, a swirling flow of breeding water, is generated in the water tank 4. In such a configuration, it is known that foreign matters tend to gather at the central part of the water tank 4. A filter part 9 is provided at the opening of the drain pipe 5 so that the breeding water can be discharged while removing the foreign matters. In the present embodiment, since the upper end of the drain pipe 5 is open to form a discharge port, the filter part 9 is attached so as to cover the discharge port. The lower end part of the drain pipe 5 penetrates the bottom of the water tank 4 and is connected to an external pipe 36 (the upstream pipe of the physical filter 7) that constitutes the circulation path 6.

[0022] Then, a cleaning unit 100 is installed so as to be extrapolated to the filter unit 9. Since the drain pipe 5 is a so-called overflow pipe, the position of the discharge port substantially coincides with the height of the water surface Wf. The upper end surface of the filter unit 9 slightly protrudes above the water surface Wf. The cleaning unit 100 has a brush inside an annular main body and a plurality of blades on the outside. When the plurality of blades receive the water flow, the cleaning unit 100 rotates autonomously, and the brush operates to sweep the surface of the filter unit 9. Thereby, foreign matters attached to the surface of the filter unit 9 can be removed (details will be described later).

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning unit 100. FIG. 3(A) is a perspective view, and FIG. 3(B) is a plan view. The cleaning unit 100 includes an annular base portion 102, a plurality of brushes 104 provided inside the base portion 102, and a plurality of blades 106 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 102.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3(A), the base portion 102 is configured by vertically connecting a base member 110a (first base member) and a base member 110b (second base member). The plurality of blades 106 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the base portion 102 so as to bridge the base member 110a and the base member 110b. In other words, the base portion 102 is configured by vertically connecting the base member 110a and the base member 110b with the plurality of blades 106. The base portion 102 has an opening 107 between the base ends of adjacent blades 106. In the present embodiment, since the base member 110a and the base member 110b have the same shape (annular shape), they are collectively referred to as simply "base member 110" when not particularly distinguished from each other.

[0025] As also shown in Fig. 3(B), the blade 106 has a rectangular shape in side view and a curved shape in plan view, and its base end is fixed to the base member 110. Slits 108 that open vertically are provided near the inner peripheral edges of the upper and lower ends of each blade 106. On the other hand, a plurality of slits 109 are also provided in the upper and lower base members 110 so as to correspond to the slits 108. The plurality of blades 106 and the upper and lower base members 110 are assembled such that the slits 108 and the slits 109 are fitted together. The plurality of blades 106 are arranged at a predetermined interval (equal interval) so as to be symmetric with respect to the axis L of the base portion 102, and extend radially outward from the base portion 102. One side of the blade 106 in the rotational direction about the axis L is a concave curved surface, and the other side is a convex curved surface.

[0026] In this embodiment, the number of brushes 104 provided corresponds to the number of blades 106. A brush 104 is provided at the base end of each blade 106. In this embodiment, a so-called channel brush is adopted as the brush 104. The brush 104 includes a long base material 112 (channel material) and brush hairs 114 provided along the side surface of the base material 112. The base material 112 is fixed inside the base portion 102 by being assembled to the base end of the blade 106, and is arranged to extend in the vertical direction. The brush hairs 114 are provided over the entire length of the base material 112. The brush hairs 114 are continuously provided on the base material 112 so as to correspond to the entire length of the filter portion 9 (see Fig. 4). The brush hairs 114 extend toward the side opposite to the base material 112, that is, radially inward of the base portion 102. The plurality of brushes 104 are arranged such that the tips of the respective brush hairs 114 are along a predetermined inscribed circle C. This inscribed circle C follows the outer peripheral surface of the filter portion 9 (see Fig. 5).

[0027] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the installation structure of the cleaning unit 100 in the drain pipe 5. Figs. 4(A) to (C) show the installation process. For convenience of explanation, the illustration of the breeding water is omitted. As described above, the drain pipe 5 is provided so as to protrude upward from the central portion of the bottom surface of the water tank 4. The filter portion 9 is attached and fixed so as to cover the drain port 5a at the upper end of the drain pipe 5 (Figs. 4(A) and (B)).

[0028] From this state, the cleaning unit 100 is assembled so as to cover the filter unit 9 (FIGS. 4(B) and (C)). When the water level in the water tank 4 is the set water level, the cleaning unit 100 is held in a position that covers substantially the entire filter unit 9 (FIG. 4(C)). The specific gravity of the cleaning unit 100 is set in such a manner. As shown in the drawing, the base portion 102 is arranged so as to surround the filter unit 9. At this time, the brush 104 is directed toward the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the filter unit 9.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the operation of the cleaning unit 100. In the cleaning unit 100, a plurality of blades 106 receive water flow and rotate around the axis L. At this time, the inscribed circle C of the tips of the plurality of brushes 104 will follow along the outer peripheral surface of the filter unit 9. Thereby, the cleaning unit 100 rotates coaxially with the filter unit 9.

[0030] That is, the plurality of brushes 104 rotate integrally with the base portion 102 around the axis and sweep the outer peripheral surface of the filter unit 9. The breeding water is introduced inward from the opening of the base portion 102 formed between the adjacent blades 106 (see the white arrows). That is, the filter unit 9 can introduce the breeding water into the inside of the drain pipe 5 while suppressing the intrusion of foreign matters. When the cleaning unit 100 rotates, the brush 104 scrapes off the foreign matters attached to the outer peripheral surface of the filter unit 9. Thereby, the filter unit 9 can be cleaned.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the installation mode of the cleaning unit 100. The thick arrows in the figure indicate the flow of the breeding water. In the present embodiment, as described above, by utilizing buoyancy, the cleaning unit 100 can be held in a position corresponding to the filter unit 9. The material, size, and shape of the members constituting the cleaning unit 100 are set in such a manner.

[0032] The filter section 9 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and is attached to the drain pipe 5 with its bottom facing upward. The drain pipe 5 is an overflow pipe, and its upper end opening constitutes a drain port 5a. When the water surface Wf becomes higher than the drain port 5a (i.e., when overflow occurs), the breeding water is guided from the drain port 5a into the inside of the drain pipe 5. Thereby, the water level in the water tank 4 is kept substantially constant. For this reason, the filter section 9 is configured to be able to cover the drain port 5a and have a height assuming overflow. In other words, foreign matter adheres to the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the filter section 9 in the height range where overflow can occur. In particular, relatively light foreign matter floating on the water surface Wf easily adheres to the filter section 9.

[0033] As shown in the figure, the cleaning unit 100 has a specific gravity such that its upper end portion is exposed from the water surface Wf without being completely submerged in the water tank 4. The cleaning unit 100 is not fixed to either the drain pipe 5 or the filter section 9 and floats near the water surface Wf in a state of being inserted externally into the filter section 9. As also shown in FIG. 4(C), a plurality of brushes 104 are annularly in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter section 9, and the cleaning unit 100 is in a state of fitting into the filter section 9. For this reason, the cleaning unit 100 does not fall off from the drain pipe 5 and flow downstream. By rotating the cleaning unit 100, the outer peripheral surface of the filter section 9 can be cleaned.

[0034] As described above, in the present embodiment, a swirling flow (rotational flow) of the breeding water is generated in the circular water tank 4, and the drain pipe 5 is arranged at the central portion of the water tank 4 that becomes the swirling center. In such a configuration, foreign matter tends to gather at the central portion. By providing the filter section 9 so as to cover the drain port 5a, drainage can be performed while preventing the aquatic organisms 2 from escaping. In particular, by installing the cleaning unit 100 so as to cover the filter section 9, drainage can be performed while removing relatively large foreign matter contained in the breeding water.

[0035] The cleaning unit 100 can be realized with a simple configuration in which a brush 104 is provided inside an annular base portion 102 and a plurality of blades 106 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 102. Further, these blades 106 receive water flow and rotate, whereby the cleaning unit 100 operates autonomously. That is, without applying electric power, the brush 104 rotates integrally with the base portion 102 to clean the outer peripheral surface of the filter portion 9. Therefore, a control device for electrically driving the cleaning unit 100 is also unnecessary. That is, according to the present embodiment, a technique capable of easily cleaning the filter portion 9 provided in the drain pipe 5 can be provided.

[0036] In addition, when relatively soft and brittle foreign matters such as feces and uneaten feed of the aquatic organism 2 adhere to the filter portion 9, by operating the cleaning unit 100 to crush the foreign matters and make them small, they can also be discharged so as to be filtered by the filter portion 9. In that case, the filtered foreign matters can be removed by the physical filter 7 and the foam separation device 14 outside the water tank 4.

[0037] [Modification Example] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an installation mode of the cleaning unit according to Modification Example 1. In the case of a water tank that is not an overflow type, as shown in the figure, the filter portion 109 may be installed in the water. In this modification example, a strainer having a porous structure is installed in the drain pipe 105 as the filter portion 109. In this case, the water level of the water tank 4 can be set, for example, by devising the structure of the water supply pipe.

[0038] In this modification example, the drain port 5a which is the opening of the drain pipe 105 is in the water, and the filter portion 109 is installed so as to cover the drain port 5a. Foreign matters contained in the breeding water are introduced into the drain pipe 105 through the filter portion 109. In such a configuration, foreign matters that do not float on the water surface Wf, that is, foreign matters flowing in the water, adhere to the surface of the filter portion 109. In this case, it is necessary to sink the cleaning unit 100 into the water and keep it at the position of the filter portion 109.

[0039] Therefore, the specific gravity of the cleaning unit 100 is increased (i.e., it is made of a material with a specific gravity greater than that of the breeding water), and the cleaning unit 100 is supported from below by the drain pipe 105. Specifically, a flange portion 111 that protrudes radially outward is provided at the upper portion of the drain pipe 105, and the lower surface (the lower surface of the base member 110) of the cleaning unit 100 is supported on the upper surface of the flange portion 111. The cleaning unit 100 can rotate while sliding on the flange portion 111. Also in this modification, when the cleaning unit 100 rotates, the outer peripheral surface of the filter portion 109 can be cleaned.

[0040] Regarding foreign matter floating on the water surface Wf, it can be dealt with by an operator scooping it up with a net or installing a separate filter for capture. Equipment for removing foreign matter floating on the water surface of the water tank 4 may be provided separately.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an installation mode of the cleaning unit according to Modification 2. The breeding water may contain foreign matter with a relatively large specific gravity. In that case, the foreign matter tends to gather at the central portion of the bottom surface of the water tank 4. In this modification, such foreign matter can also be discharged from the discharge pipe.

[0042] In this modification, the drain pipe 125 has a double pipe structure including an inner pipe 126 and an outer pipe 127 coaxially. The inner pipe 126 has the same structure as the drain pipe 5 of the above-described embodiment. The outer pipe 127 has the same height as the inner pipe 126 and has a plurality of openings 128 on the side surface of the lower end portion. The filter portion 9 is installed so as to cover the drain port 5a which is the upper end opening of the inner pipe 126.

[0043] When such a drain pipe 125 is adopted, when drainage due to overflow occurs in the inner pipe 126, the breeding water existing in the passage portion between the inner pipe 126 and the outer pipe 127 is sucked upward. In this modification, this phenomenon is utilized to guide the foreign matter c1 staying at the bottom of the water tank 4 to the filter portion 9.

[0044] A cleaning unit 100 is disposed above the drain pipe 125. The cleaning unit 100 is externally inserted above the inner pipe 126 to which the filter section 9 is assembled, and is supported from below by the upper end surface of the outer pipe 127. With such a configuration, not only the foreign matter c2 floating on the water surface Wf but also the foreign matter c1 sinking to the bottom can be captured by the filter section 9. These foreign matters can be removed by the operation of the cleaning unit 100. If these foreign matters are brittle, they can also be filtered by the filter section 9.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the installation structure of the cleaning unit according to Modification 3. FIGS. 9(A) to (C) show the installation process thereof. In this modification, a filter section 136 is also provided in the drain pipe 135 itself. A lid-shaped filter section 139 is provided so as to cover the drain outlet 5a of the drain pipe 135. The filter section 136 is composed of a large number of slits 137 provided on the side surface of the drain pipe 135.

[0046] The slit 137 is a small hole having a predetermined length extending in the circumferential direction of the drain pipe 135, and four slits 137 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the drain pipe 135. Also, a large number of slits 137 are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the drain pipe 135. The opening width of the slit 137 (the size of the gap in the vertical direction) is set to be approximately the same as the opening width of the mesh of the filter section 139. Needless to say, the shape, size, number, etc. of the filter section 139 are not limited to those shown in the figure.

[0047] With such a configuration, the range of the filter section provided in the drain pipe 135 is large. For this reason, although the cleaning unit 130 has basically the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment, its height is large enough to include the range of its filter section.

[0048] When installing the cleaning unit 130, the filter part 139 is attached and fixed so as to cover the drain port 5a at the upper end of the drain pipe 135 (Figs. 9(A) and (B)). From this state, the cleaning unit 130 is assembled so as to cover the filter parts 139 and 136 (Figs. 9(B) and (C)). When the water level in the water tank 4 is at the set water level, the cleaning unit 130 is held in a position that covers substantially the entire filter part 139 (Fig. 9(C)).

[0049] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning unit according to Modification 4. For convenience of explanation, only the outer shapes of the base part and the blades are shown by two-dot chain lines. In this modification, the cleaning unit 140 has a spiral brush 144. The cleaning unit 140 includes an annular base part 142, a plurality of brushes 144 provided inside the base part 142, and a plurality of blades 146 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base part 142. The interval between the upper and lower base members 110 is set so that the base part 142 can correspond to the range of the filter part of the drain pipe 135 described above.

[0050] The blades 146 are formed large in accordance with the height of the base part 142. The brush 144 has a base material 148 that extends spirally in the vertical direction. The base material 148 is provided so as to span the plurality of blades 146 and is scatteredly fixed to the base ends of those blades 146. With such a configuration, when the cleaning unit 140 rotates counterclockwise (rotates counterclockwise in plan view) in the figure, a force in the thrust direction (downward in this modification) acts on the cleaning unit 140 as it rotates (see the two-dot chain line arrow). In this modification, the cleaning unit 140 is installed in the water tank so that such rotation occurs in relation to the shape of the blades 146.

[0051] A flange portion 145 that protrudes radially outward is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the drain pipe 135, and the lower surface of the cleaning unit 140 (the lower surface of the base member 110) is supported on the upper surface of the flange portion 145. The cleaning unit 140 can rotate while sliding on the flange portion 145. Also in this modified example, when the cleaning unit 140 rotates, the outer peripheral surfaces of the filter portions 136 and 139 can be cleaned.

[0052] Further, when a thrust force acts on the cleaning unit 140, the position of the cleaning unit 140 with respect to the drain pipe 135 can be stably held regardless of the height of the water surface Wf. With that thrust force, it is also possible to expect an action of sweeping out the foreign matter scraped off by the brush 144 in the axial direction of the drain pipe 135.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning unit according to Modified Example 5. For convenience of explanation, only the outer shapes of the drain pipe and the filter portion are shown by two-dot chain lines. In this modified example, the cleaning unit 150 further has a brush 154 for cleaning the upper end surface of the filter portion 139.

[0054] The brush 154 includes a base material 152 that extends in the diameter direction of the base member 110 and brush bristles 155 that extend from the base material 152 toward the end surface of the filter portion 139. The base material 152 is fixed to the upper base member 110 so as to be bridged over the base ends of the blades 146 that face each other in the diameter direction. The brush bristles 155 are directed downward in the axial direction of the drain pipe 135, and the tips thereof abut against the filter portion 139.

[0055] The cleaning unit 150 includes a brush 144 directed toward each side surface of the drain pipe 135 and the filter portion 139, and a brush 154 directed toward the upper end surface of the filter portion 139. Therefore, when the cleaning unit 150 rotates, the entire surface of the filter portions 136 and 139 can be cleaned.

[0056] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically showing an aquarium according to the second embodiment and the structure around it. In this embodiment, a so-called raceway type aquarium 204 is adopted. The aquarium 204 has semi-circular (R-shaped) corner portions 204a at both longitudinal ends. A partition wall 230 extending in the longitudinal direction at the center in the width direction of the aquarium 204 divides the water channel 232 in the width direction. The pair of divided water channels 232a and 232b are parallel to each other and are connected at the corner portion 204a. A one-way (counterclockwise in the figure) flow is generated in the annular water channel 232 (see the arrow in the figure).

[0057] A water supply pipe 234 is provided so as to penetrate the side wall 204b of the aquarium 204. The water supply pipe 234 extends inward of the aquarium 204 and branches into a plurality of pipes (branch pipes 234a) below the water surface of the breeding water. The open ends (i.e., water inlets) of the respective branch pipes 234a are directed toward the downstream side of the aquarium 204, and the breeding water is discharged toward the downstream side, thereby generating the above-described one-way water flow.

[0058] On the other hand, drain pipes 205 are provided in the regions near the upstream ends of the water channels 232a and 232b in the flow path of the aquarium 204, that is, in the regions near the ends of the respective corner portions 204a (hereinafter also referred to as "specific regions"). Different from the drain pipe 5 of the first embodiment, the drain pipe 205 extends in the width direction of the water channels 232a and 232b from the side surface of the aquarium 204. And a cleaning unit 200 is attached to each drain pipe 205.

[0059] It is known that in this specific region, vortices are likely to be locally generated due to the change in the direction of the water flow in the corner portion 204a, and foreign matters contained in the water flow are likely to gather (see Patent Document 1). The drain pipe 205 and the cleaning unit 200 are arranged so as to be able to discharge the breeding water while removing such foreign matters.

[0060] FIG. 13 is a view showing the installation mode of the drain pipe 205 in the aquarium 204. In order to enhance the drainage efficiency, it is preferable that the filter part 136 (slit 137) is provided over substantially the entire length of the drain pipe 205 (see Fig. 9). The proximal end of the drain pipe 205 is detachably attached to the external pipe 36 and is detachably fixed to the side wall 204b of the water tank 204. In the present embodiment, the end of the drain pipe 205 on the partition wall 230 side is closed.

[0061] The drain pipe 205 is installed in the water tank 204 so as to generally cross the water channel 232. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the upper part of the drain pipe 205 is exposed above the water surface Wf, but it may also be submerged below the water surface Wf. As the cleaning unit 200, for example, the cleaning unit 130 of Modification 3 (see Fig. 9) can be adopted, but the cleaning unit 140 of Modification 4 or other cleaning units may also be adopted.

[0062] However, in the present embodiment, due to the fact that the drain pipe 205 substantially occupies the width of the water channel 232, it is difficult to assemble the cleaning unit 200 after installing the drain pipe 205 in the water tank 204. For this reason, the drain pipe 205 with the cleaning unit 200 pre-assembled thereon is installed in the water tank 204. In the modification, the cleaning unit 200 may have a radially divided structure and may be assembled to the drain pipe 205 after the drain pipe 205 is installed in the water tank 204.

[0063] Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the operation of the cleaning unit 200. The cleaning unit 200 rotates around the axis L as a plurality of blades 106 receive the water flow in the water channel 232. The axis L is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the water channel 232 and is located below the water surface Wf. At this time, as the tips of the plurality of brush hairs 114 are along the outer peripheral surface of the filter unit 136, the cleaning unit 200 rotates coaxially with the filter unit 136. As the cleaning unit 200 rotates, the brush hairs 114 scrape off foreign matter adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter unit 136. Thereby, the filter unit 136 can be cleaned. By arranging the drain pipe 205 in the width direction of the water channel 232 parallel to its bottom surface, it becomes possible to capture foreign matter over the entire width of the water channel 232.

[0064] [Modification Example] FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing the installation structure of the cleaning unit according to Modification Example 6. 15(A) is a perspective view, and FIG. 15(B) is a plan view. As shown in FIG. 15(A), in this modification example, in the raceway type water tank 204, the drain pipe 205 is placed upright, and the cleaning unit 200 is also installed upright. Specifically, the drain pipe 205 of the second embodiment is erected on the bottom surface of the water tank 204, and the cleaning unit 200 is installed so as to be externally inserted into the drain pipe 205.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 15(B), also in this modification example, as long as there is water flow in the water channel 232, the cleaning unit 200 can be rotated, and the filter unit 136 of the drain pipe 205 can be cleaned. In this modification example, since the upper part of the drain pipe 205 is open, the cleaning unit 200 can be easily assembled after the drain pipe 205 is installed in the water tank 204.

[0066] As described above, the preferred embodiments and modification examples of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to its specific embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

[0067] [Other Modification Examples] In the above-described first embodiment, the upper and lower base members 110 constituting the base portion 102 have the same shape, but their shapes and sizes (diameters) may be different. In the above embodiment, the base member 110 has a circular shape in plan view, but it may have a polygonal shape or other shape in plan view. Even in that case, each brush 104 is arranged so that the inner peripheral ends of the plurality of brushes 104 have an inscribed circle along the outer peripheral surface of the filter portion 9.

[0068] In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration in which the same number of brushes 104 as the number of blades 106 is provided has been exemplified. An example in which a brush 104 is provided at the base end portion of each blade 106 has been shown. In a modified example, the number of blades 106 and the number of brushes 104 may be different. A brush 104 may be provided at the base end portion of a part of the plurality of blades 106.

[0069] In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration in which a brush 104 is provided at the base end portion of the blade 106 has been exemplified. In a modified example, a brush 104 may be provided at a position on the inner peripheral surface of the base member 110 that is separated from the blade 106. In the above embodiment, an example in which a plurality of brushes 104 are provided has been shown, but a single brush 104 may be provided inside the base member 110. For example, if the spiral shape range of the brush 144 shown in FIG. 10 is enlarged in the circumferential direction, a cleaning unit with a single brush can be realized.

[0070] Also, in the above embodiment, an example in which a plurality of blades 106 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base member 110 has been shown, but a single blade may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base member 110.

[0071] In the above-described second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, an example in which the drain pipe 205 and the cleaning unit 200 are installed near the corner portion 204a of the raceway type water tank 204 has been shown. In a modified example, it may be installed at a position separated from the corner portion 204a, such as near the longitudinal center of the water tank 204. Alternatively, it may be installed at the corner portion 204a.

[0072] In the above-described second embodiment, an example was shown in which the drain pipe 205 extends in the width direction of the water channel 232, that is, extends at a right angle to the water channel 232 in a plan view. In a modified example, the drain pipe 205 may be installed at a predetermined angle (for example, 0 to 80 degrees) with respect to the water channel 232 in a plan view, and the cleaning unit 200 may be assembled.

[0073] In the above-described second embodiment, a configuration in which the water supply pipe 234 is branched into a plurality of pipes inside the water tank 204 was exemplified. In a modified example, a configuration in which the water supply pipe is not branched inside the water tank (that is, a configuration in which there is one water supply port for the water supply pipe) may be adopted.

[0074] In the above-described second embodiment, an example was shown in which the water supply pipe 234 is made to function as a "water flow generation unit" by devising the installation thereof. In a modified example, a pump may be installed in the water tank to function as a "water flow generation unit". Thereby, the degree of freedom in installing the water supply pipe can be increased, such as positioning the water supply port above the water tank. In the above embodiment, the water flow was generated by directing the water supply port of the water supply pipe 234 downstream, but a structure for guiding the breeding water downstream in the vicinity of the water supply port in the water tank 204 may also be provided to serve as a "water flow generation unit". For example, a partition wall may be partially provided upstream of the water supply port to generate a water flow downstream.

[0075] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the aquaculture facilities of the aquaculture system are arranged in an indoor facility. However, for example, any of the aquaculture facilities other than the water tank may be installed outdoors.

[0076] In the above-described embodiments and modified examples, an example in which the cleaning unit is applied to a drain pipe installed in an aquarium for closed-circuit land aquaculture was shown. However, it may also be applied to a drain pipe installed in an aquarium for semi-circuit land aquaculture in which a part of the breeding water is replaced while circulating the breeding water. Alternatively, it may be applied to a drain pipe installed in a flow-through land aquaculture aquarium. When draining water from the aquarium to the sea or a river, foreign matter can be discharged while preventing aquatic organisms from escaping. Also, in the case of semi-circuit or flow-through land aquaculture, the cleaning unit may be applied to the water intake pipe. Thereby, the invasion of aquatic organisms from the sea or a river into the aquarium can be prevented, and the inflow of foreign matter can be suppressed.

[0077] Although not described in the above embodiments, equipment for removing foreign matter floating on the water surface of the aquarium may be separately provided on the upstream side or the downstream side of the drain pipe.

[0078] In the above-described embodiments and modified examples, an example in which the cleaning unit is applied to a drain pipe provided in the aquarium as a "water pipe" was shown. In the modified example, a similar cleaning unit may be applied to the water intake pipe. That is, in the case of a system that takes water from a water source such as the sea or a river and supplies it to the aquarium, a water intake pipe is provided in the water source. In order to suppress the introduction of foreign matter in the water source into the aquarium in such a system, the same configuration as the above drain pipe may be adopted as the water intake pipe, and the cleaning unit may be assembled.

[0079] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(A), an example in which a space surrounded by the upper and lower base members 110 constituting the base portion 102 and the adjacent blades 106 forms the opening 107 was shown. In the modified example, the base portion has a cylindrical main body that is not separated into upper and lower base members, and an opening may be provided on the side surface of the main body. That is, an opening may be formed separately from the plurality of blades.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, an example was shown in which the brush bristles 114 are continuously provided on the base material 112 so as to correspond to the entire length of the filter portion (filter member). In a modified example, the brush bristles may be intermittently provided on the base material so as to correspond to the entire length of the filter portion (filter member). By shifting the height positions of the intermittent portions of the brush bristles for a plurality of brushes, it is possible to sweep over the entire length of the filter portion (filter member).

[0081] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, and components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist. Various inventions may be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiment and modified examples. Also, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above-described embodiment and modified examples.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 1 Aquaculture system, 2 Aquatic organisms, 4 Aquarium, 5 Drain pipe, 6 Circulation path, 7 Physical filter, 8 Biological filtration tank, 9 Filter portion, 22 Oxygen supply device, 24 Feeding device, 34 Water supply pipe, 36 External pipe, 50 Aquaculture device, 100 Cleaning unit, 102 Base portion, 104 Brush, 105 Drain pipe, 106 Blade, 107 Opening, 108 Slit, 109 Filter portion, 110 Base member, 111 Flange portion, 112 Base material, 114 Brush bristles, 125 Drain pipe, 126 Inner pipe, 127 Outer pipe, 128 Opening, 130 Cleaning unit, 135 Drain pipe, 136 Filter portion, 137 Slit, 139 Filter portion, 140 Cleaning unit, 142 Base portion, 144 Brush, 145 Flange portion, 146 Blade, 148 Base material, 150 Cleaning unit, 152 Base material, 154 Brush, 155 Brush bristles, 200 Cleaning unit, 204 Aquarium, 205 Drain pipe, 230 Partition wall, 232 Waterway, 234 Water supply pipe.

Claims

1. A cleaning unit for cleaning a filter section provided in a water pipe functioning as a drain pipe or a water intake pipe, comprising: an annular or cylindrical base portion arranged to surround the filter section; a brush provided on the base portion and directed toward the surface of the filter section; vanes provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion and extending radially outward of the base portion; wherein when the vanes receive the water flow in the water channel in which the water pipe is arranged, the brush rotates integrally with the base portion around the axis.

2. The filter section is a porous structure formed on the cylindrical side surface of the water pipe or a cylindrical filter member attached to the open end of the water pipe, and the brush comprises: a base material fixed inside the base portion; and brush bristles extending from the base material toward the outer peripheral surface of the filter section. The cleaning unit according to claim 1.

3. The cleaning unit according to claim 2, wherein the brush bristles are provided continuously or intermittently on the base material so as to correspond to the entire length of the filter member.

4. The cleaning unit according to claim 2, wherein the brush is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the base portion.

5. The cleaning unit according to claim 2, wherein the brush is provided at the base end portion of the vanes.

6. The filter section has an end face attached so as to cover the open end of the water pipe, and the brush comprises: a base material extending in the diameter direction of the base portion; and brush bristles extending from the base material toward the end face of the filter section. The cleaning unit according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The cleaning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base portion has an opening between the base ends of adjacent vanes.

8. The water pipe is a drain pipe provided in a water flow path of breeding water in a water tank of a breeding device, and the filter section introduces the breeding water into the inside of the drain pipe while suppressing the intrusion of foreign matters.

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